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http://www.archive.org/details/malefemaleconsidOOslaw 



The jVlale and r^male, 

COmiDERED m NATURAL RELATIONS; 

SHOWING THE 

DUTIES OF EACH IN CONFOMITY WITH ORGANIZATION. 

A POEM 



In easy language, maintaining that " Woman Suffrage " is imprac- 
ticable, and would result, if attained, in untold evils 
and misery, which neither man nor 
woman could cure. 






OF DES JIOINES, IOWA. 



Thia truth is patent and must be confessed : 
" Man never is, bur always to be blessed." 



/§^' COPYRIGHT''^ 



Single Copy 15 cents. Per Dozen, $1-25. 



DES MOINES: 

CARTER, HUSSET & CURL'S STEAM PRINTING HOUSE. 
1872. 



c. i?7 



To the reader : 

The lack of fullness in several places in the following lines, is because 
of the limited space the author was compelled to occupy. Should another 
edition be called for, he hopes to be able to amplify, somewhat. 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1872, by Wm. B. Sli-wsos, in tlio office 
of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 



THE MALE AND FEMALE. 



INTRODUCTION. 

Hail holy justice! reason, nature, God 

Of endless empire, infinite abroad; 

Hail nature's order, gracing God's high throne, 

To spread dimrsity (in purpose, one); 

Reveal relations, proper to complete 

The mighty structure, graceful, grand, and meet, 

To fill perfection, in the comely stand, 

That most makes happy; most exalts thy hand! 

Show thou the index, telling where belong 

The many duties forming, grand, and strong. 

The universe, with members giv 'n to test 

The strength of truth, and bid it all confessed! 

First let us honor God, the cause of all! 
Then turn to nature, coming at His call; 
If these are, then, in full agreement found. 
Why, to them both, or, either, we are bound. 
We can't evade them, but to meet the frown 
Of God and nature, fiercely to cast down! 
The hand that formed the eye, and ear, and sense, 
Will strike who turns them from their trne intents: 
They must subserve the end, their form and place, 
Prepare them for; or, madness heaps disgrace! 

Now, if, in bodies, God has functions given, 
All meetly, with the rightful mould of heaven; 
And, bade each part, and function fill its place " 
(Made quite unequal, in another's case), 
So, has He nature, everywhere, decreed. 
To stand in fitness — /b?77i5, as needs the deed: 
And, who so tries, the deed, or, form, to 'nul 
Meets the recoil; still, " leaving nature" whole. 
He vain would try, the hands to turn to feet; 



The Male and Female. 

Or, vain would task the ear, to chew the meat! 
The eyes must /roTiz^, and not behind; nor nose 
Be tasked for siglit^ since no such task it knows. 
All nature's parts have suitable supplies, 
Of proper functions — left as nature tries; 
And if we would derange her, and Her way 
Direct unseemly, she will not obey; 
But, will her steps, with singleness pursue; — 
Cast down opposers, fighting what is true! 

Is nature, then, one bod}^, and its parts. 

So well arranged, that, each, its own imparts ? 

May none, another, mocking, " Thou art mean!" 

Declare the station " filthy and unclean ?" 

Because not highest, and the first in dress. 

Is, less the duty, or, the honor less ? 

" What if the foot, ordained the dust to tread, 

Or, hand to toil, aspired to be the head ? 

What if the arm, or eye, or ear repined, 

To serve as engines of the ruling mind ?" "^ 

Hebellion, there, would every part disgrace; 

The forms ^u^ functions ot^ly fit their place. 

Things will not happen at caprice's call, 

To state desires at the expense of all; 

If one would seize a function, not his own, 

His falls to ruin, with himself undone. 

Can any, thinking nature's gates ajar. 
Hurl folly through them, plunder, lust, and war ? 
Can they these burst, and shut again, at will ? 
Ape heavenly order, and the heavenly skill ? 
Can they, " on earth bind fast, ".as wills their hands? 
Or, loose or bind in heaven, and have it stand ? 
No, never. None can structures build oh air: 
We must find rock, and plant the pillars there. 
Yet, rockless, some would fain be nature's brain. 
And sow their folly, as we sow the grain ! 

The rock of nature bears the mighty whole, 
Drawn to one center, and a common pole ! 
Which draws the magnet, touched with truth serene, 
As certain as the standing, there is seen. . 
The magnet, pointing, tells the proper use 
Of everything (divested of abuse); 
And marks the wrecks, strewed on the left and right, 
Caused by false footsteps, lured by evil sight ! 



The Male and Female. 

Yet, all the wrecks, and threatening dangers there, 

Fright not the daring, blind to every snare. 

No whit of matter; they will still pursue. 

And wrecks, and failures spur them (blind) anew! 

They grow more tickle — oft'ner change, as, cast^ 

And with each failure, vow tliat one., the last. 

These, always have a ready " dose" for ills; 

But, who so takes it, finds, alas! it kills! 

Yet, still tliej^ vow, another dose is mixt, 

Full sure to cure (no "fogy's " hand betwixt). 

The first its work of cure, had surely done, 

Had not some "fogy" snatched their &e5^, and run! 

The fortress building — what shall it be called ? 
It needs a name — so seeming grand and walled; 
But. only seeming: all its strength is aie, 
And not a stone nor pillar graces there. 
It soon must tumble — winds will waft away, 
The baseless structure, scoffing nature's sway : 
So let them name it, who know how to frame 
Huge walls of air, to screen them from their shame! 
First, " female rights," they call it, made to mean, 
But " female voting" (can they so demean?) 
Through which new light on governments they'll shed, 
And all the world — for lack of it, near dead! 

Before this subject, in detail is traced 
Some plain collaterals should be prefaced; — 
As, further treating jstature's truthful way, 
Applied to sexes in the brutes' array; 
This done, the subject turns, as we proceed 
To ask, if women know the things we need ? 
The SCALE to weigh hy, then will claim a thought; «. 
To search the powers, as GOVERisrMEisrTS are fraught: 
And, lastly, try the " practice " at the polls. 
The bane of morals, as, the living coals! 

FURTHER REMARKS ON NATURE'S ADAPTATION TO 
ITS ENDS. 

The " course of nature " greets reflecting eyes 
With comely grandeur, meetly wrought, and wise. 
It overlooks " conventions," with " resolves " 
That, but i\\Q paper holding them, involves; 
It reaches high, to lofty summits, grand. 
To kiss perfection's mighty, plastic hand. 
From all around us, nature's lessons come. 



The Male and Female. 

And teach, diversly, liow in one, they sum: 

All planted wisely in an equal stand. 

With glory's harvest reaped by God's right hand! 

The birds, the beasts, the insects, fish, and man, 

Have each their stations, throngh a common plan. 

Which shows how races with their own abide. 

With always sexes moving, side hy side. 

And not a race, but thus the lot we find, 

With opposiies of sexes always Jdnd; 

And, never one, by " instinct " only led. 

Would on their opposites desire to tread. 

But human females seem to make essay 
To rule the male — at least to ape his way: 
But, if they fail, in beasts to read the law, 
And will not heed it, they must fail, as straw; 
And, as the leaves, fly crazy in the wind; 
To fall, and with them, males, as equal, blind. 
Males can't be females, nor their duties take, 
Nor, females, manhood — to themselms forsake; 
And, such they must, or fail the promised goal*,^ 
For nature spurns a mixture, void of sold! 
Responsible is each, the station held, 
By nature guided — not by whim impelled. 
If we aspire beyond kind nature's reach, 
Then, retributions, nature's self will teach. 
Both man and woman serve, as, functions fit, 
And, none can slight them and their law forget: 
And carping at the duties thus declared. 
Heaps hosts of evils, searched, and self-prepared. 

A single blade vasij not the scissors claim; 
Though, two together fill a single aim. 
Now, should the under, claim the upper blade, 
Because one hand and hammer, both had made — 
'Twould spoil their use — unsevered leave the cloth, 
And grace the " scrap-box " with them both, as loth.. 
Were it not better that they both should stay 
In useful harmony, than one, essay, 
To change its place, or have a pro quo quid, 
And, thus, to both, have usefulness forbid? 

Suppose the brutes should, sex with sex, fall out,.. 
And, females vow, oppression spread about? 
And, vow that males had sunk them in disgrace, 
For which broad justice asks for them the place, 



The Male and Female. ' 

And vow to have it, making much essay, 
To tread men's footsteps, on a far-off loayl 

K^ ALLEGORY. 

"The Buck and Doe may take the stand, to test 
The want of soundness, if, so sought the rest; 
And, though these may not widest mark the scale, 
If these are found unequal, all will fail. 
So, let us hear them chide, with lo'K)e cast down, 
In fancied insults, calling for a frown! 
And though but beasts in forest deeps concealed. 
Their lessons, chancely, will with truth be sealed. 

The doe commences " villian — buck — thy horn 
Is mine, as thine — for, both alike were born. 
One sire begat us, and, one mother bore, 
And thou, than I, through justice, hast no more. 
The times are changed — for, be it understood. 
That all the " races " have the fitful mood: 
The human females, like me, ask their " right" 
And eloquent in wordy torrents, fight; 
And, why refrain me, who am worser stung. 
Though claiming mine, with less an able tongue? 
Ask not my purpose, to thy antlers gain; 
For, when I get them, that will all be plain; 
I want them now, lest, waiting, those, I miss : 
Give, thou, ' instanter,' or I keep my kiss." 

Poor buck ! he loved her, but Avas sad to feel. 
Her reason harden, as the very steel; 
Yet, summoned kindness in a soft reply. 
And said, " Dear doe, your anger looms too high! 
My effort wouldst thou heed, my words shall show, 
How you blame wrongly, failing truth to know; 
For, be it known that / put not your stand 
In female form ; nor sought to make me grand. 
With peering antlers. Nature made them grow; 
Nor thought not honor, more to me to show. 
The horns become me, as is very true; 
But, would kind nature, both were lent to you. 
Yet, nature will not; and, were I to try. 
She would compel me to confess the lie! 
Where horns grow not, not one can make them grow; 
The force of nature must their growth bestow, 
And, nature failing, •patches never mend, 
Nor fill the blanks her purpose meant to send." 



The Male and Female. 

Thus spake the buck — so nature for him spoke— 
And, back, the doe, in restless humor broke — 
" I know thy boast, that, thou hast muscle., more. 
And, canst more labor than a doe, so poor; 
That, in thy strength, thou hast a stronger gait, 
And hast more grandeur in thy form and state: 
But who would heed the like of that, though true? 
My boast is better — 'I'm as wise as you:' 
Talk not of muscle — always void of brains — 
But talk of knowledge, virtue; held by reins 
To give right guiding — There your boast will fall. 
And mine upholds me in the gift I call." 

Now grew the buck, philosopher, in speech, 
If, hapl'y, he, a softened heart might reach. 
He now dilated on the 'love of sex' — 
Of love, expansive, past the power to vex. 
And made a ' case,' that lawyers scarce would scout, 
So true his ' postulates ' were reasoned out. 
His words were timely, and discreet his plan. 
And, thus assisted, gravely now began. 



" What are we both, or, either, love denied? 
Or, failing of it, where is good supplied? 
We cannot lose it, but to be unblest; 
But, always find it when we cheer it best. 
It makes us strong, adversity to meet. 
And gives us courage to despise retreat\ 
And, now, my love, why tenderness cast by, 
To seek the pleasures of affection dry? 
Woulds't thou forget thy nature, and essay 
To don the buck, and, stilting., tread his way? 
Thy tender oiFspring — gentle as the dove — 
Implores thy reason, and thy tender love 1 
Wilt thou deny it, thinking it too much \ 

To find embraces in its gentle touch? .1 

Such is the duty nature gave to thee_, : 

As kindly as she has withheld from me. j 

We both are ha]3py, in our proper place, | 

But, both unhappy, when we that disgrace. \ 

The tasks of nature, we must not ignore, j 

If ' duty ' fail us, love should help us more; 
And, if both fail thee; then, I needs must try I 

My skill at nursing, lest the fawns should die. \ 

If thou wouldst roam for pleasure in the wood, 1 

And leave thy offspring to the ' beasts of blood,' J 

! 

I 



The Male and Female. 9 

If thou wouldst slmn to teach them safe retreat, 
When prowl grim beasts; nor show them proper meat; 
Nor teach them noxious^plants, nntouched to leave, 
The buck must duties, so, himself, receive. 

My horns thou askest — not indeed, to be 
A buck entirel}^, but to be ' like me.' 
This could not happen, though thou hadst my horn; 
For nature's duties would impell, as born. 
Our nature asks us to retain our ^Zace — 
The male and female; so, of ev'ry race; 
And you and I, as well could change to bears. 
As lose our sex; or, mice turn into hares. 
Then, why thyself abandon — weak and small, 
To pamper fancy, when not buck, in all? 
'Tis folly's province hugging things before, 
To mix them rudelj' with its addings more. 
We can't be both — hermaphrodites would fail, 
And all our race end up, with tearful wail! 
All beasts are stilting, perched on other's legs — 
The roosters cannot nest, and lay the eggs; 
The hens cannot deny their broods, and crow 
Unless through clumsy apings far below; 
And any female longing male's attire, 
Would raise, hot station, but her wJdmsy, higher. 
And so each creature nip^kes a ' mad ' essay, 
In striving duties of another's way." 

ALLEGORY DROPPED — ASKINGS AND PROMISES 
CONSIDERED. 

'Tis easy promising on heedless trust, 
That "things shall better, just because they mustf 
But to receive our credence, they should tell, 
Who m^ke the promise, how is ill — how, well. 
If this they will not, nor will tell us how 
They lind, where spring the " functions " they allow 
In marking labor needed, to reform 
The government, strict justice, to perform; 
Then, we must all their wondrous doings guess, 
Through much their boasting that they "mean to 

bless." 
Thus far, they have concealed the wondrous pills, 
And, too, their elements, to cure our ills. 
Is this true frankness? or, a wily trick, 
To feign a cure; or, laugh us, " playing sick?" 
We feel the malady, and ask a cure ; 



10 The Male and Female. 

Yet, first, onr doctors should have med'cine pure; 
Should tell how grew it — bring it, then to sight, 
And tell us all, what " symptoms," show it right.* 

JM'ow, dropping figures, let us ask who knows 
How proper duties to a ruler flows. 
They must be rightful : for God ordered thus ; 
And, what he ordered must be good for us. 
So let us see, how governments must be, 
And how their functions should with truth agree. 

GOVERNMENTS — HOW BORN — USE — ABUSE. 

If every man throughout the world, were just — 

Sought, but his own — another's did not lust; 

Then, every man, were always safe from wrong; 

The WEAK, as boldly could pursue, as, strong! 

The home and harvest, both, were safe, alike, 

And never villian's arm, would raise, to strike! 

But, evil meets us — wickedness abounds ; 

And here, and there, its voice all grimly sounds! 

And, that foul voice, and that invading arm, 

Need " checks and balances," to ward their harm. 

Now, one alone, could not the checks maintain; 

For, stronger ones, might mock his efforts, vain; 

And, so, united force, must needs arise, 

Through governments, to fill as they devise. 

Thus, governments, from this, their womb -were born: 

Just legal hoes, to weed, and save the corn : — 

And, tracing nature in its full intent. 

We find but such, to '' magistrates " are lent. 

From this plain lending, magistrates arise. 

To "execute," but as the "laws" devise.. 

Now, this is simple — needing small the sum, 

To execute and bring the blessings home. 

But, if (protesting) we may more allow, 

The hasis moves not; but, should shape us, now. 

Not so the shaping, as our "rulers "clutch; 
For governments think " traflftc," theirs; — as much 
Their " business," as the men who sweat and toil — 
To " lend them help" (unequal, through turmoil). 
The ALPHABET of government, they seize. 
And give it letters, plenteous as they please; 
And, tyrant-hydras find their shape " pronounced" 
In tomes of learning, or, m journals, bounced; 



The Male and Femalt. ir 

Till they believe it nature's order, wise; 

And, so, the falsehood genders other lies! 

Hence, tyrants have, as, herbage, rankly sprung; 

And pendant evils, everywhere have hung: 

All, through conceptions false, of true their place; 

What, still should stand, and what demands displace. 

" Self" largely merges in the government, 

In "moral duties" leaving self unlent. 

Not only *' business," but the morals, too, — 

(Nay " worship " asks the "statutes," "What is true?")? 

Can find a resting, but in human law; 

And, once there sanctioned, then defy a flaw 

Who cannot see that, such corrupts the heart; 

And leaves it wrong, when thinking wrong, to starP: 

Nay, more than this: It genders waste, and cost; 

And, this, to pay, — the "taxes" can't be lost ! 

Then swarm false teachers, vowing they are good,. 
" To swell resources " till they reach a flood! 
They vow that " poor men " must be left at ease, 
And pay no taxes, when they've nought to seize: 
And fatten on the blessings others pay; 
And, hence, no matter how "collectors" hay! 
Perhaps such teachers have a " shallow brain;" 
Themselves believing, as they mark the strain: 
But, could they take a broader, fuller view, 
ThQ facts would tell them of their words, untrue. 
The facts declare the poor man's "rental," pays 
Back to the " Landlord," int'rest on " outlays.'^ 
All " costs," and taxes levied on it, there. 
Return to landlords, as their rightful share. 
No " store," no "shop," no rented house, can flee 
The tax on outlays, till all paid, and free; 
And, merchants, "renting," must have "profits" more,. 
To pay' high rentals, gauged as taxes score; 
And, finally, the man of labor pays 
Each "jot" and "tittle" in the world's outlays; 
And, not a dime, comes else than from his toil, 
In shop, or store, or him that tills the soil. 

Now, let the doubter summon all his strength, 
To search a basis, less in breadth, and length; 
And, let him build, if well he knows the cost; 
But, truth denied him, all his labor's lost. 
Then, men, or women, to reform abuse, 
Must know their item, in its proper use; 
And if they fail it — guessing, late, or, soon; 
As well informs us who rides on the moon. 



12 The Male and Female. 

WHAT WOMAN KNOWS? WHO IS SHE? 

What woman compreliends our real case, 

Througli broad reflection, causes, right to trace? 

Men, even, large in thought, and counted wise. 

Find every day, new obstacles arise. 

ISow, still, the failures promise more, to come; 

And, still the evils just as largely sum: 

1^0 woman's fancy, gewgawed, tinselled, can 

Be filled with such, and wise in statesmen's plan. 

And, can a multitude that nature binds 

To other duties, find the wills and minds, 

To give us JUSTICE? — That is all we need; 

And, so, all own it, not v^\\h plans agreed, 

And "wills" and "ways," are clashing; and with 

mist. 
The foes of justice, women, would enlist; 
And, so, we get loud pratings of their skill, 
To pile up statutes, ugly vice to kill; 
Yet, not a word of where the base shall rest, 
Or, what to form the rule, such vice, to test; 
But, only, as, their whimsies, "wrong" shall name, 
Their lash must smart us, pointed at^ with " shame! " 
Without large views, without the needed time, 
To move as statesmen, men of real ceime. 
Push on the woman's column, lest we learn, 
And cure our ills, and gain the good we ^'^earn, 

If statutes added, were the things we need. 
These, and their "fair ones," doubtless that could 

jDlead ; 
And, mark, by statute, "sins," in large display; 
And Flog at night, for others sins next day! 
■ But such, we need not, and why not prefer, 
To try reforming virtue, void of stir? 

The female wisdom, argued, sums like this ; 
"^' The women, purer will do less amiss; 
M^ill, virtue, more, and truth exalt, than men, 
Because their instincts tell them how, and when." 
This is not granted; but denied by most 
Of women's selves, that may true virtue boast. 
They know the falsehood — feel that women are 
But simply with the other sex — a par. 
They feel ashamed, that brazen women boast. 
While needing " characters" they never lost: 
Truth recognizes but an even stand. 
For men and women — both in heart, and hand; 



The Male and Female. 13 

And, they who seek to laud one's virtue, more, 
Fail virtue's measure, by its scale's true score. 

Yet, these, for wisdom, chiefl}^, " cheek" supplies^ 
And make them happy that they grow so wise: 
They now, than Moses, Daniel, Job, know more, 
And leave past " worthies," stilting lame, the score. 
They mock at virtue, — at the scriptures mock. 
Or blink expression, when of these we talk; 
And seem offended, asked to show their plight, 
To cherish virtue, and impress the right. 

Are honest jDeople coy of their intent 
To foster virtue when the power is lent? 
Would it seem well, to claim, " we, thus should show 
' Our lack of virtue, urging,' it we know?" 
This plea, Our female Soloists lately made, 
In a "convention," clinching fast their ^racZe 
With BROTiiEii politicians, sleek, and sly. 
To " pull the wires," when sees no vulgar eye. 
Well, be it so : true virtue will decide, 
" The hand is out — again they cannot hide." 

Who has not heard of Feances Weight — the 
fiend 
That mocked at virtue, as she scoffed its end? 
These are her sisters — every whit as " fast," 
Just hurling mud-balls she before has cast ! 
Though, HER, denying, they assume her vow, 
And cannot better reasons offer now. 
'Tis true, some would-be-ladies, dare to say. 
They own her reas'ning, but deny her sway: 
Yet, at the farthest, we must guess their mood. 
To own the Bible's precepts all are good. 
Some oj)enly declare them useless, now ; 
" The growth of ancients, we may disallow!" 

Suppose it so. What standard shall we fix ? 
Will GONSCiENCE serve us? No, that were a mix. 
All were confusion, thus were we to run. 
And standard statutes, then, were sword and gun. 
The strength of muscle, needs would give the powek^. 
And, weak ones failing, might would soon devour. 

We need a standard higher than caprice. 
Or, chaos ceaseless, bars the hope of peace; 
But owning lessons that from heaven were shed. 
We send them from the heart, to guide the head 



14 The Male and Female. 

And head and heart full truthful — then, there flows, 
A hopeful triumph, in an honest close. 

O, politicians! vainly yon rely 
On helping hands that have no strength to ply: 
Nor, yet have counsel, only to bewitch, 
Lest, haply, you might sec, and shun the ditch? 
Where blind devotion to a woman's call. 
Will sink you, loathsome in a hopeless fall! 

THE PRACTICE — BOASTING — INCOMPETENCY — DANGER . 

Here, let us pause all theory, and try 
The practice, as "election polls" supply: 
Here, we approach a motley vulgar crew, 
Of black and white (both sexes), lacked the blue; 
All riibhed together in a common crowd. 
Where ribald whispers grow, till spoke aloud. 
In courts of justice (if such we may have, 
Above the chaos that " reformers " crave). 
Then end our labors to install reforms! 
The "flood-gates," now, are plenteous in storms! 
And novv^ has fled us, all but women's plan. 
Which is (translated), " catching as catch can." 

Not one will say, in truth, " It will not be; 
For, decent women cause the foul to flee; 
And open wide the avenue to those 
Who, of their ballot, chastely would dispose." 
Ah! would they do it? Where are all the rest? 
Is every woman, of the first and best? 
Does every man, of virtue largely share? 
Or, are the w'cious always greatest, there? 
'Tis even so (both sexes form the count); 
The " evil doers " sum the most amount! 
And, if the larger share, would evil hatch, 
What virtuous woman would not shun the batch? 
And shun the politicians, cat'ring to 
The females that pap favors, they may do ! 

O, honest women, will you be deceived, 
By headlong vixens, not to be believed? 
What real wrongs, by those can be redressed. 
Without pure morals, or large minds possessed? 
Not one has hinted, with a statesman's voice, 
Of "policies" opposing; or, iter choice 
Yet she's not bashful to declare her power, 
To give us APPLES, sweet, instead of sour. 



TTie Male and Female. 15 

Behold great Solomon, with self distrust, 
That bowed him longing, lowly in the dust, 
In view of littleness, and wisdom's lack. 
To guide his footsteps, and, to bless his track. 
He languished wisdom— felt, " a little child," 
On whom the light of knowledge had not smiled; 
And shrank the duties that his throne would share. 
To give " so great a people " needful care! 

O what a contrast with the pompous boast, 
They sound, of virtue — saviors to the lost! 
That, balmy sweetness shall distill, as dew, 
And all the nations feel it, through and through! 
How largely needful, these themselves should know? 
How fail their thoughts, in altitude to fl^w? 
And, knowing thus, how prudence could not fail, 
To tell them, " modesty will best prevail." 
Tet void of all, but flippant words of blame 
On all who chime not with the " wrongs " they name. 
They shower contempt, on all but gentle souls, 
That promise "welcome at election polls." 

Once more let's view them as they fain would 
show — 
The black, the white (both sexes)— high and low; 
All striving, vieing, sick'ning heart and ken. 
With unsexed lewdness, more than left to men? 
How for the " duplicates " in such a fix? 
How for the " maidens " in the motley mix? • 
Will they embraceit lovingly? Then they 
Are proud of shame emblazoned in display! 

Already have " th' affairs of State been tossed 
Oa female billows, as with kudder lost! 
Some woman's charms have caught a magistrate. 
And in lier bosom, kept the affairs of State. 
She oft has guided " measures," through her charms, 
And moved the hand that clasped her "witching arms!" 
Against his will, and all his better parts, 
He, low has bowed, to woman's wiles and arts; 
Which, teaches sad the lesson, to embrace 
The mingled sexes, in " State — power, and place." 
The CLEOPATRAS still ply well their trade. 
As when Mark Anthony a fool was made. 
By clinging to her; serving lust's demands, 
He let an empire slip his heedless hands! 
And Semararamuses are living, still. 
Their Ninuses to flatter, but to kill! 
She sought his throne through fawning — then the tread 
Of minions gathered, holding Ninus' head! 



16 Tlie Male and Female. 

Could we believe it? Love was made the test 
Of one day's rule, to mark it truest — best: 
Once on the throne, the lover proved a fiend, 
And " danced a dirge " on love, she laughed to end! 

Now, even now, grow evils, as, a storm 
(Outside the voting), through the female's form: 
She oft has coyly set a wily net. 
Then " waked the dogs of war," to gnash, as let! 
What, then, if women, with a "vote" in hand. 
Held (Congress sick'ning with her lures) the band 
To bind, or, loose the nation's power to lend 
Its comely blessings, or, a " scorpion " send? 
What if the nation's weal, or, woe, were held 
In " nasty" hands, more nastily impelled? 
Then comes the studied, secret, midnight plot, 
To fatten revels, though the nation rot! 
The LEDGER chaffed, is buried up in wares — 
Its " findings " measured by the mesh of snares, 
And, so, a good is turned to things despised. 
Through nature's weakness, only patronized: 
And whatsoever meets us^ there, of ill, 
Can (sexes mingled) hide with prompter skill. 

What though a queen has, here, and there, ruled well 
With quick perception, how right rule, to tell? 
Was not the labor, mostly, there, from men • 
Of larger powers, and a broader ken? 
A woman's av'rage is not man's, as tried 
By muscle, merely, or, her thought supplied. 
Yet, truly, some may even rank, as " great," 
While man's best scale, is, still, above her state. 
'Tis vain to say, " she has been under kept. 
And man has bound her, while she dormant slept;" 
For, 'mong the greatest men the world has known, 
The greatest obstacles were overthrown; 
And, very few that have been truly great, 
Could thank an " education " for the state. 

Men, brothers, fathers, will you take a leap 
In unknown darkness, with your thouglits asleep? 
AVill you give heed to such as only know, 
To cry " old fogy," for proud reasons show? 
Will 3^ou embark their crazy craft, in storms 
That rain grim madness, strangely named " reforms?" 
If not, then, " vote" that mothers stay at home, 
In household duties, to their sex become; 
And, rear the children, which they can't ignore. 
But to one evil, make a thousand more! 



RU I 



THE END. 



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